News

Hiring Creatively: 3 Ways Manufacturers Can Overcome Talent Shortages

Rethink recruiting, create great culture and offer professional growth opportunities. Manufacturers’ labor demand continues to outpace supply. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported nearly 600,000 job openings across the industry in June 2023, and with many skilled employees at or... Continue Reading

MTI 2024 Spring Meeting Registration Opens February 19

As many Members are battling cold temperatures, one exciting event to look forward to is the MTI Spring Meeting in sunny Orlando, Florida, May 2-4. Orlando brings 80+ degree temperatures and provides exciting education and networking opportunities for Members to learn the latest trends and best... Continue Reading

Use This SWOT to Assess Yourself

Improve leadership skills by personalizing the traditional SWOT analysis to focus on self, the world, others and time, says Denise Lee Yohn. You know how a SWOT analysis can help you understand your business. By identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to your company,... Continue Reading

Mental Health Issues Still Affecting Workforce

According to Mental Health America, around 1/3 of adults with mental illness are not receiving necessary treatment. While the focus on mental health was at its height during the pandemic, the issue has not gone away. Companies in logistics and supply chain management are feeling the effect on... Continue Reading

Why Introverted Personalities Make Great Project Managers

How to leverage unique strengths. Some years ago, my manager, who was the Chief Technology Officer at a global professional business services company challenged an “exceptional rating” that I gave to one of my project managers who happened to be an introvert. An exceptional rating was... Continue Reading

US Trade Gap Narrows in 2023 to Smallest in Three Years

United States bought more goods from Mexico than China in 2023. The U.S. trade deficit narrowed in 2023 to the smallest in three years, government data showed Wednesday, while the country imported more goods from Mexico than China for the first time in about two decades. The latest figures add... Continue Reading

Leadership on Point: When Your Company Is Growing, but Your Culture Is Stuck

How a legacy manufacturer moved the needle on its organizational mindset. Manufacturing companies are essential to both our economy and communities. And because of that, many smaller and mid-sized businesses have been able to coast on the ways they have always done things. They have been... Continue Reading

Embrace the “AI anxiety” of your employees

Leaders can alleviate employees' AI anxiety through clear communication and reskilling programs, writes Anbu Muppidathi. Since Generative AI took the world by storm, GenAI has become a common topic in employee all-hands, one-on-one meetings, conferences and symposiums. It is omnipresent now.... Continue Reading

Labor Report: Manufacturing Records More Job Openings, but Fewer Separations

The latest figures on job openings and labor turnover from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a mixed bag for manufacturers. Job openings in manufacturing hit a three-month high last month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, while both hiring and separations fell. The latest figures... Continue Reading

Reshoring Unpacked: A Transformational Shift From Global To Local

New research reveals that 25% of global trade will relocate within three years amid economic and geopolitical instability. The geographic distribution of global suppliers will fundamentally shift from being mostly global to mostly local by 2026. A nationwide study of CEOs in 2022 found that 58%... Continue Reading

Six Tax Considerations as You Plan for 2024

Many manufacturers are entering 2024 with high hopes. The universal supply chain disruptions spurred by COVID-19 are largely in the past, and persistent inflation and high interest rates are beginning to show signs of abating. Yet challenges remain. Interest rates are still much higher than in... Continue Reading

Lack of Women’s PPE Causes Safety Issues. Is Anything Being Done?

How the manufacturing industry is responding to ill-fitting women's safety gear and delivering a more welcoming message to a category of workers that often has been overlooked. Ana Kraft was frustrated: frustrated that although she kept several pairs of safety boots under her desk, none of them... Continue Reading